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Warner Bros. seemingly has been going through damage control for the last few years. While the more notorious stories about the studio’s shake-ups come from their DC films department, David Zaslav’s reign has also included the way their streaming service alters its library and information, as well as the shockingly shortened theatrical release windows given to newly premiered films. As the company attempts to recover from the reported $100 million loss on films like Mickey 17, according to Deadline, the Water Tower studio is shuffling their schedule as a strategy to keep them in the black and out of the red.

A lot of the schedule changes were affected by the movies that the studio had already booked for IMAX theaters. Premium screens are coveted for big movie releases and Warners was careful not to lose the precious commodity. The company would also move potential tentpoles up into this...

Warner Bros has just made some razor-sharp release-date changes ahead of CinemaCon, ones that could potentially keep the Burbank, CA lot more toward the black this year than in the red.

In a year when there were four $100 million-plus auteur-driven movies — one of which, Bong Joon Ho’s Mickey 17, recently misfired — Warners Bros distribution has taken the pressure off the studios’ schedule in that regard, and even placed a potential tentpole into the year: Zach Cregger’s anticipated genre movie Weapons on August 8.

Cregger’s next movie after Barbarian was previously scheduled for MLK weekend 2026, on January 16. What kept Warners from moving the pic starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner and Alden Ehrenreich was that the theatrical release was tied to Imax screens — can’t give up those auditoriums. In fact, what made all of the release-date changes feasible for Warners was that each was tied to Imax bookings. As...

Exclusive: Emmy-winning actor, writer, director and producer Dan Levy has signed with CAA.

Levy had been without agency representation since leaving WME in November — at least in part over circumstances related to his upcoming Netflix series — with CAA quickly emerging as his likely destination. That has now been made official.

Levy co-created, executive produces and stars in the new comedy series, which is awaiting green light from Netflix. It is part of the overall film and TV deal Levy and his Not a Real Production Company have at the global streamer that included his film directorial debut Good Grief, which he also wrote, produced and starred in alongside Ruth Negga and Himesh Patel.

Levy is best known for his work as co-creator, writer, director and star of Schitt’s Creek, which swept the 2020 Emmys for its final season with nine wins, seven during the main telecast. Levy took home four that night,...

Ryan Reynolds has established himself as one of the most popular actors in Hollywood due to the fact that he has been able to mix comedy with action successfully time and time again. The Canadian actor also continues to show his enthusiasm with more anticipated projects of different genres and styles.

Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool & Wolverine | Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

2024 had been quite successful for Reynolds with Deadpool & Wolverine, and now the actor has set up a slate of movies that seems to explore his other aspects with the potential to create new franchises. Let’s take a look at 5 of his most anticipated upcoming films.

Animal Friends Ryan Reynolds in If | Credit: Paramount Pictures

Animal Friends will be one of the most intriguing projects that Ryan Reynolds is taking up. It will be a live-action/animation hybrid comedy and will be rated R, reportedly. As of now,...

“Magic: The Gathering,” the trading card game played in basements around the globe since 1993, is set for major film and TV adaptations from Legendary Entertainment and Hasbro Entertainment.

The toy maker and the Hollywood mini-major behind the “Godzilla” and “Dune” franchises will create “a live-action feature film and television universe” based on the fantasy series, with an inaugural feature film first on deck. Hasbro estimates the strategy tournament represents a $1 billion piece of intellectual property, thanks to over 50 million players engaging with its fantastic worlds.

“We pride ourselves on being thoughtful caretakers of singular, beloved IP, and no property better fits that description than ‘Magic The Gathering,'” said Mary Parent, Legendary’s head of worldwide production. “Alongside the fantastic Hasbro team, we look forward to creating a multimedia universe that thrills longstanding fans and creates a broad wave of new ones.”

Zev Foreman, Hasbro head of film, added that...

Legendary Entertainment and Hasbro Entertainment are teaming to create a live-action film and television universe based on Magic: The Gathering, the trading card game marking Hasbro’s first $1 billion brand.

The first project to emerge from the deal will be a film, with TV series and other content to be developed as well as the universe expands.

Created in 1993, Magic: The Gathering is recognized as the world’s first trading card game, having connected with more than 50 million fans of all ages worldwide. In the game, players take on the role of planeswalkers, powerful spellcasters who summon creatures, cast spells, and use artifacts to defeat their opponents. The game is known for its deep strategy, complex mechanics, and the ability to customize decks from a vast library of thousands of unique cards.

Since its release, Magic: The Gathering has expanded into a global phenomenon, with competitive tournaments, professional play circuits,...

“Magic: The Gathering” is coming to life. A film and TV universe based on the popular card game is in the works from Legendary Entertainment and Hasbro Entertainment, with plans for a live-action feature film to kick off an interconnected universe that will expand into TV and other content.

Created in 1993 by Richard Garfield, Magic: The Gathering is the world’s first trading card game and involves dueling wizards, spells and fantastical creatures.

Mary Parent, Legendary’s Chairman of Worldwide Production, said, “We pride ourselves on being thoughtful caretakers of singular, beloved IP, and no property better fits that description than ‘Magic: The Gathering.’ Alongside the fantastic Hasbro team, we look forward to creating a multimedia universe that thrills longstanding fans and creates a broad wave of new ones.”

Zev Foreman, Hasbro Entertainment’s Head of Film, said, “This is an exciting and complementary partnership, uniting one of the world...

Legendary Entertainment and Hasbro Entertainment are partnering to create a live-action feature film and television universe based on Hasbro’s massively successful Magic: The Gathering, Hasbro’s first $1 billion brand.

Initial plans call for a feature film to lead the charge, with television series and other content to be developed as well as the universe expands.

Magic: The Gathering logo from Netflix

Legendary is well-known for its ability to translate IP with robust fandoms into epic, creator-driven projects across film, television, comics, and more, in a way that serves the property’s core fans while broadening its appeal to wider audiences.

Created in 1993, Magic: The Gathering is the world’s first trading card game. Its compelling characters, fantastic worlds, and deeply strategic yet highly customizable gameplay have captivated more than 50 million fans of all ages worldwide.

Mary Parent, Legendary’s Chairman of Worldwide Production, said, “We pride ourselves on being thoughtful caretakers of singular,...

With the Berlin EFM less than one month away, Legendary Entertainment and veteran sales and entertainment executive Patrick Wachsberger have launched production and sales joint venture 193 to be led by Wachsberger.

The venture will develop and produce its own slate of features and work with third-party producers and financiers on projects at different stages of production to“amplify emerging filmmaking voices, selectively leveraging Legendary’s substantial financial, creative, production, and marketing resources”.

Legendary and Wachsberger will co-own the joint venture, named after the current number of territories that are available to buy film rights. Legendary’s Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer...

Legendary Entertainment has expanded its presence in global independent film with the formation of 193, a new stand-alone joint venture to be run by producer and executive Patrick Wachsberger, who will serve as the company’s new CEO.

193 is described as “a global production and sales entity designed to capitalize on high demand for quality films for the independent market,” per Legendary. The new company “will develop and produce its own slate of films, and work with third-party producers and financiers, representing global distribution rights for completed films and providing capital and early territory sales activities for projects in their early stages.” Legendary and Wachsberger will co-own 193.

The new company is one of several ongoing growth initiatives for Legendary under CEO Josh Grode. 193 “offers a platform to identify and amplify emerging filmmaking voices, selectively leveraging Legendary’s substantial financial, creative, production and marketing resources. Harnessing the year-round cadence of international sales,...

In its first big move of the new year, Legendary Entertainment is expanding to launch a standalone production and sales joint venture ahead of a slate of film markets in 2025.

Patrick Wachsberger, the former Summit/Lionsgate film chief and producer of Oscar best picture winner Coda, has inked a deal with Legendary CEO Josh Grode to launch a new shingle, titled 193, that will be co-owned by Legendary and produce its own slate of films to sell. That Wachsberger-led joint venture will also rep global distribution rights for films as well as early territory sales for features, Legendary said on Tuesday. (That 193 title refers to the number of territories available worldwide to sell films for release.)

“I have known and worked with Patrick dating back to Summit Entertainment,” stated Grode. “We are excited to be partnering with him in this new stand-alone venture and know that 193 will be a leader in...

Here’s All We Know About Warner Bros. Pictures’ 2025 Line-Up (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Warner Bros. Pictures is all set to take over the silver screen this year with a diverse range of films, including highly-anticipated blockbuster movies like Superman, Jurassic World: Rebirth, The Conjuring: Last Rites, Final Destination: Bloodlines, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Wicked: For Good, A Minecraft Movie, Mortal Kombat II, Brad Pitt’s F1 movie and a film on the legendary pop star Michael Jackson. It will be the highest number of theatrical releases in 2025, more than any other studio.

Academy Award-winning Bong Joon-Ho’s Mickey 17, starring Robert Pattinson, releases on March 7. Meanwhile, Jason Momoa and Jack Black’s A Minecraft Movie arrives on April 4. The former is Ashton Edward’s 2022 novel Mickey7, while the latter is inspired by one of the most popular games in video game history.

New-age director-actor duo Ryan Coogler and...

Palak Patel, the longtime film executive who oversaw the Venom movies at Columbia Pictures, has been named chief content officer for Prime Focus Studios, the finance and production arm of visual effects powerhouse Dneg.

Prime Focus Studios, run by CEO Namit Malhotra, recently co-produced The Garfield Movie with Alcon Entertainment for Sony. The movie grossed more than $257 million globally. The company is currently in production on Animal Friends, with Legendary Pictures, and The Angry Birds Movie 3. It is also developing a big-screen telling of the Indian epic story Ramayana.

As the company sought to ramp up production and develop well-known IP, it sought out an exec that could navigate the worlds of big studios.

In announcing the hire, Malhotra stated, “Prime Focus Studios brings a new and entrepreneurial approach to the development and creation of the world’s biggest movies. Partnership and collaboration with studios and filmmakers are already part of our DNA,...

Updated Exclusive: Sony Pictures EVP of Production and Development Palak Patel is leaving the Culver City lot for a new gig as Chief Content Officer at Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios.

Prime Focus recently co-produced The Garfield Movie with Alcon Entertainment for Sony Pictures, grossing more than $257 million at the worldwide box office.

Prime Focus Studios was founded by Dneg CEO Malhotra to finance and produce films, TV series and other content at major studios, as well as independently. It is currently in production on Animal Friends, The Angry Birds Movie 3, and Ramayana.

Patel has been at Sony for the last 10 years, and played a key role in the $1.8 billion-grossing Venom franchise as well as Morbius.

Patel came to Sony in August 2015 as part of a motion picture group realignment by chairman Tom Rothman and then Sony Pictures Entertainment Group president Doug Belgrad.

Patel came in to Columbia Pictures...

In a big milestone for Hollywood, Glen Powell has signed a large studio deal for “Homewreckers,” an erotic sci-fi thriller that has swiftly become one of the most anticipated film packages of 2024.

Legendary Studios won a bidding war against major studios such as Lionsgate, New Regency, Sony, and Warner Bros. According to reports, the studio paid a seven-figure payment for the tale rights, followed by another seven-figure deal for screenwriter Neil M. Paik to create and produce the script.

The film is based on Paik’s unpublished three-chapter novella. Powell is expected to star in and produce the project. According to sources, the film would be inspired by well-known sexual thriller directors like Adrian Lyne and modern sci-fi innovators like Alex Garland. This combination provides a distinctive viewing experience.

This acquisition wraps up a successful year for Powell, who is cementing his status as a rising star in Hollywood. His...

Deadline has confirmed that the Glen Powell-starring erotic sci-fi twist thriller Homewreckers is landing at Legendary after an intense auction. The deal isn’t 100% done yet, but it’s close.

The package is based on a novella by Neil Paik, who is attached to adapt. Powell, who just earned his first Golden Globe nomination for Hit Man in the Best Actor – Comedy/Musical slot, is producing.

The Dune and Godzilla Monsterverse producer beat out Lionsgate, New Regency, Sony and Warner Bros in the pursuit for Homewreckers. The deal is said to be in the seven-figure range for story rights, as well as seven-figure deal for Paik to write and produce.

Paik is writing The Bombshell Bandit, based on a BBC article, for Amazon MGM Studios, and Atlas, with Priyanka Chopra attached to star. Currently, he’s also set to make his feature directing debut with Windowshopper, based on his short story.

Collaborations between Hollywood heavyweights always spark excitement, but what’s getting everyone even more worked up is the shrouded premise, and the R-rated label. And that’s precisely why the upcoming Ryan Reynolds and Jason Momoa starrer, Animal Friends, is impossible to ignore!

Ryan Reynolds | Variety / YouTube

A live-action and CGI hybrid film that features two of the most charismatic and talented actors in the industry? Count us in! Ever since the film’s announcement, netizens have been buzzing to know more about this project, looking up every little detail. So let’s delve into what you can expect to see in one of the most anticipated movies!

Ryan Reynolds and Jason Momoa: The Perfect Collaboration for Animal Friends! Jason Momoa | Jimmy Kimmel Live / YouTube

We’ve all come to love Ryan Reynolds for his wit and irreverence, plus he keeps winning at the box office with hits like Free Guy and the Deadpool franchise.

Warner Bros. is shaking up its release calendar.

The studio has dated “Final Destination: Bloodlines” for May 16, 2025 and delayed two high-profile titles – live-action/animated “Animal Friends” is going from August 15, 2025 (when Sony was releasing it) to October 10, 2025, while “Flowervale Street” from writer/director David Robert Mitchell is getting pushed from May 16, 2025, all the way to March 13, 2026. (That’s a big bump!) Both “Final Destination: Bloodlines” and “Flowervale Street” will have IMAX releases.

“Final Destination: Bloodlines,” from producer Jon Watts, will also be released on IMAX screens. Brec Bassinger, Teo Briones, Richard Harmon, Max Lloyd Jones and Owen Patrick Joyner lead the cast. Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein from a script by Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor, from a story by Watts. While the plot is being kept under wraps, it is a continuation of the horror franchise, which usually sees young people avoiding the specter of death, which...

Last year, Final Destination 6 (which is going by the title Final Destination: Bloodlines) finally, after years of development and a thirteen year gap between sequels, made its way through production. Franchise producer Craig Perry previously let it be known that the film was aiming for a theatrical release in 2025 – in time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of the original film. It will even be on IMAX screens! Now, Deadline has confirmed that Final Destination: Bloodlines is set to reach theatres on May 16, 2025. As of right now, it’s the only major studio film scheduled to get a wide theatrical release on that date.

This long-awaited sequel is coming our way from Warner Bros. The studio also announced that they’ll be bringing Legendary Entertainment’s live action hybrid road movie Animal Friends to theatres on October 10, 2025. Unfortunately, Final Destination: Bloodlines could only secure its May release date because Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. this morning dated the next iteration of New Line Cinema’s famed horror franchise, Final Destination: Bloodlines for May 16, 2025. It’s the only major studio wide entry on that date.

The Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein directed movie, which has a story that’s being guarded, has Imax screens. Genre pics like A Quiet Place II have done well in the May corridor in years past.

Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor are writing the screenplay from a story by Jon Watts based on characters created by Jeffrey Reddick. Producers are Watts, Dianne McGunigle, Craig Perry and Sheila Hanahan Taylor. Cast for the new Final Destination is Brec Bassinger, Teo Briones, Richard Harmon, Max Lloyd Jones, Owen Patrick Joyner, Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Rya Kihlstedt, Tinpo Lee, Anna Lore, Gabrielle Rose, April Amber Telek and Alex Zahara.

In addition, Warner Bros is getting Legendary Entertainment’s live action hybrid road movie Animal Friends,...

Warner Bros. shuffled its film release schedule, planting “Final Destination: Bloodlines” on the calendar in summer and delaying the J.J. Abrams-backed mystery thriller “Flowervale Street” to 2026.

“Final Destination 6” will be released on May 16, 2025. It’s taking over the slot previously occupied by “Flowervale Street,” which was set for mid May but has been pushed nearly a year to March 13, 2026. “Final Destination: Bloodlines” is the only major studio release on that date, but it will debut two weeks after Disney’s Marvel adventure “Thunderbolts” (May 2) and the week prior to Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” and Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch” (May 23).

The studio also acquired “Animal Friends,” a live-action/ CGI hybrid road trip adventure starring Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza and TikToker Addison Rae, and pushed its release date back to Oct. 10. Sony was previously set to release the film in August before Warner Bros.

A sequel to Eli Roth's 2023 slasher film Thanksgiving is officially in the works and will reportedly be released in 2025. Given how the first movie ended, we already have a rough idea of who will return, but a few actors have discussed coming back for the sequel, and Roth has teased that Addison Rae might be one of them. Spoilers ahead for Thanksgiving ending.

Since it has only been one year since the movie was first released in theaters, many are bound to rewatch it as the beginning of a holiday tradition. There aren't many Thanksgiving horror movies out there, and this one fully leans into its premise.

At the end of the first movie, Rae's character, Gaby, is one of several to survive John Carver's reign of terror in the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts. She survives alongside several of her friends, including Jessica (Nell Verlaque).

This past August,...

Legendary Entertainment and Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group are parting ways, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

In late 2022, the two companies announced that Sony would become Legendary’s go-to studio in terms of releasing and marketing its movies around the globe (excluding China). But there was a major caveat. Legendary’s marquee franchises, Dune and Godzilla (the latter is part of the MonsterVerse), would continue to be handled by Warner Bros.

At the time, Legendary wanted to cut all other ties with Warners after Jason Kilar, part of the previous regime, sent the studio’s entire 2021 slate simultaneously to theaters and to streaming in an effort to boost Max subscribers. That controversial policy was dubbed “Project Popcorn.”

When Warners was merged with Discovery, newly installed Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav made it clear that the studio’s movies would once again be given a proper theatrical release before heading for the home.

Sony Pictures and Legendary Entertainment won’t be renewing their global distribution pact when it expires at the end of this year, Deadline has confirmed.

We understand it was a mutual decision.

The original deal, announced two years ago, was set on replacing a previous pact Legendary had with Warner Bros. However, when it came to Legendary, all the good stuff was over at Warner Bros with Dune: Part Two and Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire making a combined $1.28 billion. Also in the mix for next year, Legendary has A Minecraft Movie at Warners, the big-screen take of the massively popular computer game. That’s coming out on April 4, 2025.

A third Dune movie is being buzzed to be in the works at Warners from Legendary, with Denis Villeneuve returning; that’s dated for December 18, 2026.

Under the Sony deal, the Culver City, CA studio marketed and released Legendary’s slate sans China,...

The distribution deal between Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group and Legendary Entertainment will end in December, as both companies mutually agreed to conclude the partnership, The Wrap has exclusively learned.

Sony will still distribute Legendary’s “Animal Friends” on Aug. 15, 2025, a live-action animation hybrid R-rated comedy that stars Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Vince Vaughn and Aubrey Plaza. Legendary produced the film alongside Reynolds’ production company Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios.

Legendary and Sony first signed a multiyear worldwide film distribution partnership back in 2022 under which Sony Pictures marketed and distributed Legendary’s theatrical film titles, but the deal excluded existing projects, leaving Legendary’s biggest franchises like “Dune” and “Godzilla vs. Kong” to continue to be released by Warner Bros.

Under the pact, Sony distributed Legendary’s “The Book of Clarence,” the Biblical comedy from British singer-songwriter, music producer and filmmaker The Bullitts (aka Jeymes Samuel), in 2023, but the...

2025 is a promising year for animated movies. Dog Man kicks things off in January, bringing Dav Pilkeys popular comic book series to life, followed closely by The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep in February, which dives into the magical world of Geralt and adds depth to The Witcher universe. In June, Pixar brings audiences sci-fi film Elio, which introduces audiences to a young boy who finds himself mistaken for Earths ambassador to outer space. Summer continues with nostalgia and family favorites, with The Smurfs Movie returning to theaters in July, reimagining the classic blue characters, and The Bad Guys 2 in August.

As the year winds down, Zootopia 2 headlines the holiday season in November, bringing back Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde for a new adventure in the vibrant city of Zootopia. In December, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is set to take fans of all ages back under...

Legendary Entertainment has named Blair Rich as chief marketing and commercial officer.

“Harnessing her proven record across franchise and audience building, Rich will now drive and execute Legendary’s global marketing, branding and communications and play a key role, as part of senior management, in expanding Legendary’s business, including the company’s adoption of new technologies across marketing and data analytics,” according to the official release. Rich will report to CEO Joshua Grode and chair of production Mary Parent for film marketing.

For the past year, Rich has been advising on the marketing campaigns for “Dune: Part Two” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” particularly when it comes to “strategies for commercial insights and innovation, and brand management and expansion,” the studio noted.

“Blair is a creative innovator. She brings an outstanding history of building some of the most dominant brands and entertainment franchises in the world,” Grode said in a Monday statement.

Will Ferrell is taking it to the streets in his next film, and he'll be delivering (comedic) justice while he's at it. The former Saturday Night Live funnyman and current star of the poignant documentary Will & Harper is reportedly in talks to star in the next film by comedy director Peter Atencio, a Dirty Harry-style feature called Street Justice.

In new reporting from Deadline, Ferrell will produce and star in the new film for 20th Century Studios, being touted as "a Dirty Harry type who goes about taking justice into his own hands," based on a script and original idea by screenwriter David Callaham. This will be the second collaboration between Callaham and Atencio, who previously worked on Jean-Claude Van Johnson together, an action comedy television series starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as a heightened version of himself that they worked on together for Prime Video.

This will be another comedy project for Ferrell,...

Exclusive: Following the release of his acclaimed Netflix documentary Will & Harper, examining his close relationship with transgender former SNL writer Harper Steele, Will Ferrell has found a new project in Street Justice, a comedy that he’ll produce and star in for 20th Century Studios.

Based on an original idea by Dave Callaham, the film has Ferrell playing a Dirty Harry type who goes about taking justice into his own hands, sources tell us. Peter Atencio, a comedy veteran currently in post on Legendary’s forthcoming live-action/animation hybrid Animal Friends, will direct.

Callaham, the writer behind Shang-Chi and the Oscar-nominated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, penned the script on spec — selling it in a large seven-figure deal, according to our sources — and will serve as executive producer. Ferrell and Jessica Elbaum will produce for Gloria Sanchez Productions, with David Koplan also aboard to produce. The project reunites Callaham and...

The Lego Group has enlisted directors Jake Kasdan, Patty Jenkins and Joe Cornish to helm a trio of live-action movies for Universal Pictures.

Plot details of the three untitled movies are yet to be revealed, but the filmmakers behind each project have been announced. All three films will be produced by the Lego Group’s Jill Wilfert and Ryan Christians.

Kasdan will direct from a script written by Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul. The project is based on an original idea and previous draft by Matt Mider and Kevin Burrows. Kasdan will also produce the film with Melvin Mar under their Detective Agency banner.

Jenkins will direct from a script she co-wrote with Geoff Johns, reteaming after they co-wrote “Wonder Woman 1984” (with Dave Callaham). Jenkins will produce the movie through her Wicious Pictures.

Cornish will rewrite to direct the third film. Heather Anne Campbell wrote a previous draft of...

Legendary Entertainment, the company behind the Dune and Godzilla franchises, said it has completed a buyout of Wanda Group’s remaining equity interest.

Legendary funded the buyout with cash on its balance sheet without outside financing. This means the company is now owned solely by management and funds managed by affiliates of Apollo, which bought a $760m minority stake in 2022.

On Monday Legendary said it had retained “significant excess liquidity” to finance its business and planned expansion, which will see it continue to grow its film and television output and develop intellectual property.

Last year it secured a five-year $800m...

Legendary Entertainment has bought out Chinese multinational conglomerate Wanda Group’s remaining 60% equity interest in the studio known for the “Dune” and “Godzilla” franchises.

The transaction was funded entirely by Legendary using cash on its balance sheet. Legendary emphasized that it retains “significant excess liquidity” after the transaction to fund its current business and planned expansion. In 2023, the studio secured a five-year, $800 million credit facility led by J.P. Morgan.

“The purchase of Wanda’s remaining ownership interest is the next strategic step in Legendary’s long-range growth plan. With our outstanding creative team, headed by Mary Parent, developing, producing and marketing high-quality film and television and working with leading artists remains core to our expansion,” Legendary CEO Josh Grode said in a statement. “I want to thank and acknowledge Wanda, who has been an outstanding and supportive shareholder since 2016, and I congratulate them on this transaction.”

As part of the move,...

Legendary Entertainment has completed a buyout of Wanda Group’s remaining equity interest in a move CEO Josh Grode said ushers in a new era for the studio.

Financial terms weren’t disclosed but Legendary said it funded the transaction entirely from cash on its balance sheet for the deal led by Grode, without tapping partner Apollo Global. Legendary and Apollo now co-own the company and the board will be evenly split between management and the private equity giant that invested $760 million in Legendary in 2022.

Chinese conglomerate Wanda acquired the studio in 2016. “I think they were in a position where they needed some capital [and] the opportunity arose for us to buy Wanda’s interest at a valuation that would be very accretive to both management and Apollo. And so, as a result, we were able to get a transaction done,” Grode tells Deadline.

Legendary, created in 2000, develops, produces, markets, and...

In September 2022, Ryan Reynolds gave one of the first Deadpool 3 updates, where he announced Hugh Jackman would reprise his iconic role of Wolverine in what would end up being called Deadpool & Wolverine. Over two years later and a certified blockbuster on their hands, the duo recreated the announcement for a new project.

On Oct. 9, Hugh Jackman released a video just like the 2022 Deadpool & Wolverine update, this time, to let everyone know about his upcoming project. Unfortunately, while that doesn't involve Ryan Reynolds, per se, he will be in Jackman's "heart." The new project is a 12-concert series at Radio City Music Hall called From New York With Love.

Its happening!!! pic.twitter.com/mvkPQNFP1a Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) October 9, 2024

Related Deadpool & Wolverine Commentary Clip Breaks Down Dogpool's Introduction

Exclusive: Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds share new insight into the scene with Dogpool and Nicepool in Deadpool & Wolverine.

It is that time of the year when we once again find ourselves on the precipice of another year of new film releases. This is when we look forward eagerly to the films scheduled for release in the coming year. There is probably likely something coming out at some point during the year that should be of interest to everyone (at least that’s what most studios are hoping). As always, there will be the usual sequels and big blockbusters set as tent-pole releases, as well as a plethora of additional titles in multiple genres to choose from. We hope you find this list of the upcoming films of 2025 and their release dates useful and that it helps you plan what you’re going to look forward to throughout the years.

The list below gathers all of the titles we know that are coming in 2025 by their current release date.

Top Hollywood producers Mary Parent (“Dune: Part 2”), Lucy Fisher (“Gladiator II”) and Sue Naegle (“Nightbitch”) join TheGrill 2024 for an exclusive Powerhouse Producers panel presented by Wrapbook Payroll, moderated by award-winning journalist Laura Holson.

The panel promises to deliver unparalleled insights into the ever-evolving landscape of film and television production.

Mary Parent is the chairman of Worldwide Production at Legendary Entertainment, overseeing all aspects of film for the company. While at Legendary, she has produced the Academy Award-winning film “Dune” and its follow up “Dune: Part Two,” as well as “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” “Enola Holmes,” “Detective Pikachu,” and Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s virtual reality piece, “Carne y Arena,” which received a rare Special Achievement Oscar® for its groundbreaking exploration of fully immersive storytelling.

Upcoming highlights in 2025 include the live-action/animation hybrid comedy “Animal Friends,” starring Ryan Reynolds, as well as “Minecraft,” based on the world’s bestselling game,...

Unified Pictures has partnered with ReDefine Animation for The Ark and the Aardvark, the latest animated feature from Kung Fu Panda co-director John Stevenson.

ReDefine Animation is part of the Dneg Group, the London-based visual affects company. The animation division was responsible for the work on last year’s Nimona, which earned an Academy Award nomination for best animated feature, as well as The Garfield Movie. Dneg recently received $200 million in funding from Abu Dhabi-based Vc firm United Al Saqer Group for IP development, a new production studio in Abu Dhabi, and the creation of a new arm centered on AI technology.

The feature is already in production and ReDefine, which was chosen for its artistry, experience and scale, will act as a finishing company, working with Unified’s LA based animation team.

Aardvark explores the famed story of Noah’s Ark from the perspective of the animals and tells the story of an outcast aardvark,...

Schitt's Creek co-creators, stars, and father and son duo Eugene Levy and Dan Levy are set to host the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards. This will mark the first time a father and son have shared hosting duties, and it would be hard to find a pair better suited to the task. Although this is the first time the two serve as hosts, they're not precisely Emmy newbies. The Levys have been on the receiving end of a number of awards each: Eugene earned two Emmys for his work on the sketch comedy series Sctv Network 90 and two for Schitt's Creek, while Dan's wins stemmed from his work on the latter show. Besides earning the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Comedy Series, Dan earned directing and writing wins for his work on the series' finale.

In a statement announcing this year's host, the Levys shared:

"For two...

With less than a month to go before the 76th Emmy Awards, the telecast’s hosts are finally set. As expected, the father-son duo of Eugene Levy and Dan Levy will emcee this year’s Emmys, which take place on Sunday, Sept. 15, live on ABC.

The two made history in 2020 as the first father and son to win major awards in the same year, thanks to “Schitt’s Creek.” That year — in which winners appeared remotely, due to the Covid-19 pandemic — saw Eugene Levy win for outstanding comedy actor and Dan Levy win for supporting comedy actor. Dan Levy also picked up wins for writing and directing, while both won the outstanding comedy series Emmy as exec producers.

“For two Canadians who won our Emmys in a literal quarantine tent, the idea of being asked to host this year in an actual theater was incentive enough,” the Levys said in a joint statement.

On Friday, August 16, NBC’s The Today Show welcomes actor Ryan Reynolds and musician Chance the Rapper. Ryan Reynolds, whose latest movie Deadpool Vs Wolverine is about to become a member of the billion dollar club, joins the show to discuss his upcoming projects. These include the live-action/animated action comedy film Animal Friends, two Red […]

The Today Show: Ryan Reynolds, Chance the Rapper...

Addison Rae may be trying to supplant espresso as the drink of summer 2024 with her new song, “Diet Pepsi,” which is set to arrive this Friday, Aug. 9.

Rae officially announced the single Monday and shared the cover art after teasing the song — her first for Columbia Records — on social media over the past week. Last Wednesday, she leaned into double entendre with the X post, “I don’t do coke. I much prefer Diet Pepsi!” And the following day, she shared a short video on Instagram of her writing “Diet...

Ryan Reynolds has teased that he may collaborate with his Deadpool & Wolverine co-star Hugh Jackman again soon. Reynolds says that their partnership is successful because they root for one another. The upcoming project is currently unknown, but unlikely to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Ryan Reynolds says that he plans to work with Hugh Jackman again soon after their upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine. The project is the third movie in the Deadpool franchise (which is a subfranchise of the X-Men movies) and marks the first time that Reynolds' title character will appear in an official installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although Deadpool has made multiple jokes about both actor Hugh Jackman and his X-Men character Wolverine throughout the first two movies, the upcoming title will be the first time that the characters have shared the screen since 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Entertainment Weekly recently sat down...

London-based The Dneg Group has secured a $200M capital injection from Abu Dhabi investment firm United Al Saqer Group (Uasg), in move it says gives it a value in excess of $2B.

The UK-Indian company said the new funds would be used to accelerate the group’s strategy of innovation and diversification and plan to become a sector-agnostic content production and AI-powered technology partner.

Next steps in this strategy will be the full activation of technology division Brahma, which is developing an AI-powered, photo-real CGI creator, including Ziva, for which Dneg recently acquired the exclusive license from Unity.

“My career has been built on investing in and leading visual creativity with technology. Our partnership with Uasg, the launch of Brahma, and the success of our content creation platform are all being fuelled by the power of our technology. We are redefining our business model as a leader in top-end solutions across the world,...

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s Group Effort Initiative has partnered with the studio Dimension and Dneg 360, the recent expansion of Dimension’s partnership with visual entertainment services company Dneg, to launch Rise Up, a new mentorship program offering UK residents from diverse backgrounds in-depth and hands-on professional experience working on set.

Opening August 1, the program will take place at Dimension’s new, multipurpose virtual production complex in London, in collaboration with Dneg 360 and Sunbelt Rentals. During their time there, trainees will be offered the opportunity to meet with prominent production executives, including those working on the upcoming Animal Friends, a starry live-action/animation hybrid feature currently in production at Dneg and co-produced by Legendary Entertainment, Prime Focus Studios, and Reynolds’ production company, Maximum Effort. Each will be provided accommodation and transportation, as well as a stipend.

Stated Reynolds and Lively, “We are genuinely inspired by the UK’s creative...

Exclusive: You might not be familiar with Namit Malhotra’s name, but the world certainly knows his work. Malhotra founded Indian production services company Prime Focus Technologies in 1997, and is currently CEO of VFX company Dneg, which has won seven Academy Awards for films such Inception,Interstellar, Blade Runner 2049, and Dune. Hailing from a filmmaking family in India’s Mumbai, Malhotra holds immense influence in both Hollywood and Bollywood, where he is currently in production on Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. The hotly-anticipated feature will feature a score collaboration between A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire) and Hans Zimmer. Malhotra, a services exec by trade, is also upping his producer game. He produced the recent Garfield movie, which crossed $200M at the box office this month, was an exec on Hindi-language film Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva and has exec producer credits on Peacock’s upcoming Rome epic Those About to Die,...

If's box office numbers pose a potential issue for an upcoming Ryan Reynolds film, Animal Friends. Although If has so far brought in $161.4 million worldwide, it may not break even. Reynolds' name alone wasn't enough to propel If to massive success, a worrying sign for future projects.

The box office performance of Ryan Reynolds latest film, If, poses a potential issue for one of his 2025 films. If is a CGI animation and live-action hybrid film about a young girl named Bea who discovers that Imaginary Friends (IFs) are real, but many of them are wandering lost souls now that their once-friends have aged and abandoned them. Throughout the film, Bea must work to save these IFs while simultaneously dealing with personal grief and family issues. Along the way, there are many hints that foreshadow If's biggest twist.

IFs leading cast features Reynolds alongside John Krasinski (who also directed the film), Cailey Fleming,...

Exclusive: Joaquim De Almeida has joined the cast of Legendary’s Animal Friends, the live-action and animated hybrid pic from writing duo Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider. Peter Atencio directed the R-rated Road trip adventure.

He joins a cast that includes Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Daniel Levy, Addison Rae, Lil Rel Howery, and Ellie Bamber. Producing alongside Legendary are Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and producer Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios. Visual effects and animation will be provided by visual entertainment services company, Dneg. The idea for the film came from a general meeting between Burrows and Mider and Maximum Effort executive, Patrick Gooing.

The film will be released by Sony on August 15, 2025.

De Almeida’s past credits include Desperado, Clear And Present Danger and Behind Enemy Lines. He was recently seen in Amazon & MGM’s hit remake Road House opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and also recently reprised his role...

In the midst of dominating the movie conversation with Marvel Studios' only film of 2024, Deadpool & Wolverine, yet another intriguing Ryan Reynolds project has secured a release date. A new report from Variety revealed that Animal Friends, described as an R-rated road trip adventure that combines live-action and animation, will officially be released on August 15, 2025. Reynolds will star in the film alongside Aubrey Plaza, Jason Momoa, Dan Levy, Lil Rel Howery, Addison Rae, and Ellie Bamber. Kevin Burrow and Matt Milder penned the script, and Emmy-award winner Peter Atencio will direct. Reynolds' production company, Maximum Effort, and Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios are set to produce.

Kraven the Hunter is seeking new hunting grounds, with the Aaron Taylor-Johnson starrer taking a release date just vacated by The Karate Kid.

On Friday evening, Sony moved the villain-centric Kraven the Hunter to the prime winter spot of Dec. 13, 2024 (back from Aug. 30, 2024). Kraven steps into a date that was occupied by fellow Sony pic The Karate Kid, a crossover event movie starring Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan. Karate Kid now moves to May 30, 2025.

The move comes after the sixth and final season of Cobra Kai, the Netflix spinoff starring Machio as his original Karate Kid movie character Daniel Larusso, was delayed due to last year’s actors strike. Sony pushed the new Karate Kid to allow it to follow Cobra Kai‘s final season, with the summer date also seen as friendly for the all-ages audience its intended for. With an open holiday season 2024 date available, Sony opted to...

Sony’s “Kraven the Hunter” is being pushed back from its August release, moving to Dec. 13, 2024. It will screen in IMAX and premium large formats.

The film takes over “Karate Kid’s” original release date, which has been changed to May 30, 2025. It will now bow in theaters after the sixth and final season of “Cobra Kai” debuts on Netflix.

With a coveted Christmastime release date open, Sony is positioning “Kraven” as an R-rated option for the end of the year.

Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, “Kraven the Hunter” unpacks the origin story behind the Marvel villain, set before his notorious vendetta against Spider-Man. Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott and Russell Crowe also star.

The film is directed by J.C. Chandor, with a story by Richard Wenk and screenplay by Wenk, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. It’s produced by Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach and David Householter.

Sony has also...